| Shackleton’s Last Voyage Substantial Account, Pre-Dating Author’s Book Title: The Voyage of the Quest.Author: WILD, Commander Frank. Publisher: London: Royal Geographical Society, 1923. Pre-Dates Book Item is in ORIGINAL Condition, With Blue Wrappers – As Issued, Complete with All the Ads!!!Notes & Condition: This is the official report to the RGS by Commander Wild, read at the evening meeting of November 13th 1922, which preceded the release of his book, ‘Shackleton’s Last Voyage’. Vividly photographic illustrations from the expedition show Shackleton’s gravesite and the memorial cairn, the Prince Olaf and Grytviken Whaling Stations, South Georgia views, the ‘Quest’, and Shackelton’s team. The lure of Antarctica was too strong for Shackleton to resist, so he started his fourth and final trip in the ill suited ‘Quest’ in 1921, with wildly ambitious objectives. The final adventure and perilous Antarctic voyage of the most revered Arctic explorers is laid out with illuminating detail and insight, recounting preparations and planned route, to the ship’s crew, the whaling industry, uncharted passages, majestic icebergs and seal habits. Also includes section by Commander F. A. Worsley on the expedition’s hydrographic work, and a section on geological work by Vibert Douglas.When Shackleton died suddenly in South Georgia, Wild published a book in 1923 from the Official Journal and Private Diary kept by Dr. A. H. Macklin: “Shackleton’s Last Voyage: The Story of the Quest“. The author reproduced the last photographs of Shackleton to have been taken.Shackleton’s Last Voyage – This Substantial Primary Reveal Precedes the Author’s Book!Known affectionately as “the Boss” by the members of his expeditions, Sir Ernest Shackleton had an uncanny ability to take advantage of his luck without ever taking it for granted. Though he engaged in some of the most dangerous exploits of modern exploration and had his share of bad luck, his work left no one dead or injured – a remarkable achievement in the history of British Polar Exploration. With unabashed charm, imagination, and his trademark lilting Irish brogue he soon captivated the hearts and fueled the imagination of many who sought to explore the unknown. He left for his last voyage onboard the Quest and died shortly after arrival in South Georgia – Antarctica. The Voyage of the Quest (Shackleton-Rowett Expedition 1921-22): The ‘Quest’ was refitted at Hays Wharf and on September 17, 1921, from St. Katharine’s Dock, under Tower Bridge, Shackleton finally sailed. The ‘Quest’ had been intended for the Arctic expedition and was not suited for a long, trans-oceanic journey. She lumbered heavily in the trade winds, her engines too weak. Out at sea her boiler was found to be cracked. She needed repairs at every port of call. Against all this, Shackleton seemed to fight as he had always fought. It was late December and they were being tossed about in the South Atlantic on their way to South Georgia. On board ‘Quest’, Shackleton was constantly ill. His broad face was pale and pinched. At Rio de Janeiro, Shackleton had a massive heart attack but, as usual, refused to be examined. Macklin knew he was suffering from heart disease. Finally, on January 4, 1922, the ‘Quest’ came within view of South Georgia. The Quest anchored outside the whaling station of Grytviken; it had been eight years since Shackleton had sailed up the same fjord in ‘Endurance’ on his way to the Weddell Sea. Surprisingly, many of the same old faces were there. Fridthjof Jacobsen was still station manager. He came out in a boat and took Shackleton ashore. Macklin was not surprised when in the early hours he was called to Shackleton, and found him in the midst of another heart attack. A few minutes later, in the wee hours of January 5, 1922, Shackleton was dead. Shackleton’s body was to be sent back to England for burial. With it went Hussey, who had no heart for the expedition now that his leader was dead. When Emily heard what had happened, she decided that her husband should be buried on South Georgia. Hussey turned around and brought the body back to South Georgia. There, on March 5, he was laid to rest in the Norwegian cemetery, along with the whalers amongst whom he had felt at home. 36 pages. Plus sketch maps and several photographic illustrations. Original condition with blue wrappers, titles to front, and containing all the ads. This is a complete issue, seldom found in such good and original condition.        |